Water-level indicator.



No. 795,739. PATENTED JULY 25, 1905*.

R. H. STOLLAR.

WATER LEVBLINDIGATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED Nov. 2z, um.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l,

PATENTED JULY 25, 1905.

R. H. STOLLAR.

WATER LEVEL INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22, 1904.

4 SHEETS--SHEET 2.

PATBNTBD JULY 2511905. R. H. sToLLAR. WATER LEVEL INDIGATOR.

APIVLIOATION FILED NOV. 22, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

fume/iwi? `rnitting device.-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROSS H. STOLLAR, OF LONGBEACH, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF THREE FOURTHS TOGEORGE A. RANEY, SAMUEL J. TURK, AND EMMA STOLLAR, LONGBEACH,CALIFORNIA.

WATER-LEVEL INDICATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 25, 1905.

Application filed November 22, 1904. Serial No. 233,813.

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ross H. STOLLAR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Longbeach, in the county of Los Angeles, State ofCalifornia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Water-LevelIndicators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for indicating at a vdistance the levelAof water in a reservoir or tank, or, generally, the level of any body ofwater.

The main object of this invention is to provide means for this purposewhich will be simple and effective in operation and which will respondequallyT well to change of level in the water in either direction.

Another object of the invention is to increase the registering capacityof the indicator.

The invention comprises a transmitter of special construction, adaptedto be operated by changes of the level inthe body of water, and areceiver and indicator electrically connected to said transmitter andcontrolled thereby.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 is a rear view of the receiving and indicating mechanism, therear of the case being removed. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line x2m2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail section on'the line x3 w3 in Fig. '2.Fig. 3fl is a perspectiveof a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism on theindicator. Fig. 4 is a detail section on line-fz.14 mi in Fig. 2. Fig. 5is a front view of the indicator. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of thetransmitting device, the front of the casing thereof being removed. Fig.7 is a partly-sectional side elevation of the trans- Fig. 8 is v4asection on line m8 in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing theelectrical' connections. Fig. 10 is a side view of a different form ofthe circuit-closing trip for preventing continuance of closure of thecircuit under certain conditions. Fig. 11 is a rear elevation of Fig.10.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the receiver and indicator is mounted andinclosed in a suitable case l, on the front of which is provided a dial2, having suitable marks or divisions, as hereinafter explained. Anarbor orshaft 3, rotatably mounted concentric with this dial,is'provided with a pointer or index 4, adapted to travel over the faceof the dial. This shaft or arbor may be mounted in bearings on a frame5, extending from a base 6 within the case 1. Two sets of devices,substantially duplicates of each other, are provided for rotating saidshaft in opposite directions. Said devices comprise magnets 7 8, mountedon said base 6 at opposite sides of the shaft and having armatures 9 10connected to pawl devices 11 12, which operate ratchet-wheels 13 14 onthe shaft, the teeth of which are reversely directed. Each pawl device11 and 12 comprises an arm 15, rotatably mounted on the shaft andcarrying a pawl member 16, which is pivoted thereto at 17, and an arm18, also rotatably mounted on the shaft 3 and carrying a pin 19,engaging in a notch 2O in the pawl member 16, so that pivotal movementof the arm 18 in one direction will cause the pawltooth 21 of the pawlmem ber 16 to engage in the ratchet-wheel 13 or 14,as the case may be,while reverse movement of the arm 18 will tip the pawl member backwardto release the tooth thereoffrom said ratchet. The pawl members 16 ofthe respective pawl devices 11 12 are reversel y directed incorrespondence with the reverse direction of the ratchet-teeth on thewheels 13 14. Each pawl-actuating arm 18 is connected by a link or. bar22 with the respective armature 9 or 10, and Asprings 23 are providedconnected at one endv to said arms 18 and at the other end to suitableadjusting means 24 to act as retracting means for said arms and for thearmatures. Suitable stop devices 25, preferably adjustable, are providedfor the armatures 9 10. 26 designates an adjustable stop or screw thatcontacts with an extension 27 on eacharm 15 to check the back movementthereof, so that further movement of arm 18 will tilt up the pawl out ofengagement with the ratchet-wheel. 28 designates a star-wheel or toothedwheel on the shaft 3, engaged by a spring-dog 29 to cause the rotativemovements of the shaft to be definite and certain and in correspondencewith the dial-marks. From the above it will be understood that repeatedoperation of either one of the magnets will cause repeated actuation ofthe corresponding pawl device and a step-bystep rotative movement of theshaft 3 to cause the pointer thereon to move over the face of the dial,while operation of the other magnet will cause a reverse movement of thepointer. In order to increase the range or capacity of the device for agiven size of dial, it is preferred to provide for more than onecomplete rotation of the pointer, the dial being provided with aplurality oi' annular series of designating numerals or marks and meansbeingalso provided for indicating on which one of said series thepointer is to be read. Thus the dial is shown as numbered 'from 1 to "12in a complete circle and then from 13 to 24 in a second circle. A targetdevice is provided for indicating which series of marks is being used.This target device comprises a plate or arm 30, carrying a targ'et 31 atits outer end and pivotally mounted at 32 to the rear et' the dial, soas to exhibit or display the target through an opening in the dial. Saidarm is provided with two pins or projections 34 35, adapted to beengaged by a pin, projection, or tappet 36 on the shaft 3,correspondingl in position to the pointer on said shaft, so that as saidpointer rotates and passes the twelfth or linal mark in the first seriesit will engage one of said pins and throw the target over to the otherside, showing that the second or higher series ot' numerals is to beused, while in the reverse movement of the pointer as it passes the samemark itl will engage with the other pin or projection to reverselyoperate the target, showing that the lirst series of numerals is in use.lllhile the target may be of any suitable means, it is convenient toprovide the same with exhibiting' portions ot' two differentcolorsw't'or example, red and blackgthe two series of indicating marksor numerals being differently colored in correspondence with the colorson the target. 37 38 designate two electrically-operated audible-signaldevices of different tone or character, so as to be readilydistinguishable, one ot' said devices being', for example, a bell andthe other a buzzer, said buzzer and bell being included, respectively,in local circuits 99 100, controlled by armatures 9 10 and contacts 102103, closedl when the respective armatures are attracted, said circuitshaving a common return-wire 104, including a local battery 105, so as togive an audible signal announcing the operation of the indicator for arise of water-level and a different audible signal on lowering of thewater-level.

The transmitter or circuit-closer Vfor controllingl the circuits l'oroperating the abovedescribed indicator is shown in Figs. 6 to 9 and isinclosed within a suitable case 40, on the base 41 ol' which is mounteda frame 42, with standards 43, carrying a lixed horizontal shaft 44. Onsaid shatt between the standards 43 are mounted threecircuit-controlling members 45 46 47, the central member 45 carrying orformed with a pulley 48 to enable rotation thereof, the said centralmember in said rotation cooperating with one or the other ol saidcircuit-closing members on each side thereof to control one or the otherof the circuits leading' to the indicator.

A rope 49 engages around the pulley 48 and passes at opposite ends overthe sheaves 50 and carries at one end a float 51 and at the other end acounterweight 52. (See Fig. 9.) The float is of suliicient bulk inproportion to its weight to'prevent complete submersion and enable it torise as the water rises. A desirable construction ot' the float is thatshown, the same comprising a metallic shell or receptacle in which isscrewed a top 55, provided with an eye for attachment to the rope, saidshell being filled more or less with the weighted material 54, such assand, to give the requisite weight for the proper operation ot' thecircuitclosing mechanism, as hereinafter described.

A cylinder or tube 56 is preferably provided in lixed position in thetank or body ol water surrounding the float and open at its lower end topermit the water to rise and fall therein in correspondence with thegeneral level in the tank and to protect thel'ioat from oscillations orwaves such may be caused by the supply of water dropping into the tank.

Members 46 47 preferably comprise wheels or disks 57, ot' insulatingmaterial, turning on the fixed shaft 44 and each carrying ratchetwheel58, engaging a pawl 59, pivoted to a lixed su pport--for example, thestandards43-- the ratchet-wheels and pawls on the respect ve members 4647 being reversely directed, so that the member 46 can only rotate inone direction and the member 47 only rotate in the other direction. Eachof the members 46 47 carries a metallic contact-ring' 60, surroundingand attached to the insulating-ringl 57, so as to be insulated thereby,and carrying a circuit-closing device formed as a latch 61, pivoted at62 to an arm 63, extending outwardly and laterally from the said ring.rlhe member 45 carries at each side an operating-pin and a contact-pinadapted to engage said latch, the operating-pin 65 being insulated by aninsulating-support 66 from the body of the member 45, so that in itsengagement with the latch it will not close the circuit and thecontact-pin 67 being in direct connection with said member 45.

In the lorm of the invention shown in Figs. 8 and 10 the latch device 61has two projections or lingers 69 70, the linger 69 being' adapted to beengaged by the operating'- pin 65 in one direction of movement thereofto turn the latch inwardly, so as to bring the linger 70 in proximitywith or path of movement of the contact-pin 67. Another projection orpart 71 of the latch device extends in the path of movement of theoperating-pin 65, so as to be engaged thereby in the opposite directionof rotation thereof, and a stoppin 72 on said latch device engages withthe supporting-arm 63 to prevent outward tilting movement of the latchunder these conditions,

so that the'latch and the conneetedring 60, withthe ratchet-wheel 58 andother parts connected thereto, will be carried around with the rotatingmember 45. A spring 73 tends to hold the latch in position (shown inFig. 6) with its stop 72 in contact with arm 63.

Contact-springs 75 76 bear on the contactrings 60 of the respectivemembers 46 47 and are connected by wires 78 79 with bindingposts 80 8l,to which are connected the circuit-wires 82 83, leading to thebinding-posts 92 93 of the indicator, the return or ground circuit wire84 leading through battery 88 from the return binding-post 94 oftheindicator and being connected to binding-post 85 in the transmitteron the frame 42, thereby establishing connection, through said frame,the shaft 44, and member 45, with the contactpins 67.

'Ihe operation of the apparatusl is as follows: In general both thecontrolling-circuits will normally be open. Assuming the water to berising, it will lift the float, allowing the counterweight to turn thepulley 48 and rotate the member 45 in the direction of the arrow in Fig.6. If this movement is continued sufficiently, the operatingpin 67 willbe brought into engagement with the operatinginger69 of latch 61 andwill turn said latch inwardly to position shown in dotted lines into thepath of movement of contact-pin 68, the latch-carrying member 46 beingheld from rotation by its ratchet device, while the latchcarrying member47 is t'reely rotated, as above described. A little further movement ofthe member 45 will carry said contact-pin under the finger 69 and makeconnection to the controlling-circuit to the indicator, the lingerslipping over said contact and the further movement of the contactprojection will break the circuit. The circuit referred to may be tracedas follows: from battery 88, through wire 86, to binding-post 87, frame42, shaft 44, member 45, contact projection 68, contact-finger 70, ring60, contact-spring 75, connection 78, binding-post 80, circuit-wire 82,to the register or receiver, where it enters at bindingpost 92, thenconnection to electromagnet 7, then by binding-post 94 to return-wire 84and the battery. The electromagnet7 so energized will attract itsarmature, operating, through link 22, arm 18, and pin 19, to turn pawl16 into engagement with ratchet-wheel 13 and on further movement torotate the ratchet-wheel one step and cause the pointer 4 to move'onedivision, the buzzer being at the same time sounded by the closure ofarmature 9 on contact 102. The breaking of the circuit will release thearmature and allow spring 23 to pull the arm 18 back, thereby moving thepawl out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel and restore the parts tonormal position. On continued rise of water this op-` eration will berepeated and each foot, halffoot, or other unit of rise being indicated,and as the pointer completes one revolution it will operate the target31, as above described, to show that the measurement is to proceed onthe other series of marks. On lowering of the water-level the operationwill be reversed in obvious manner, the bell being in this case soundedinstead of the buzzer.

The trip contact devices above described are designed with a view topreventing the battery from remaining on closed circuit, exceptmomentarily, as the'wheel turns under same and the contact-finger slipsover the turning contact; but there is a slight possibility of themovement of the wheel being arrested at this precise moment of closure,and to provide for this contingency I may use the form of trip contactdevice shown in Figs. 10 and 11, wherein 108 109 are respectively thetrip actuating and contact devices on the rotating member 60, and 110 isthe trip-device or arm, pivoted by pin to the arm 63 and carrying aspring-contact 111, operated by a spring 112, a spring 113 tendingtoturn this arm inwardly or against the direction of rotation ot' member61. The arm 63 carries a cylinder 116, in which works a piston 117,pivotally connected to the arm 110 aforesaid. Said arm 110 has a finger118, that is adapted to be engaged by the operating projection 108 onthe rotary member 61. When so engaged, it draws out the piston and movesup the contact trip device 110. Then when the projection 108 passes upfrom beneath finger 118 the arm 110 will move back the piston andcylinder, acting as a dash-pot to cause the con- -tact device 111 towipe slowly over the contact member 109 on rotating member 61.

The object of having two sets of contact devices with pawl-and-ratchetmeans for allowing free movement of each in one direction and arrestingsuch movement in the other direction is to insure that after a contacthas been made-registering for example, a rise of one foot-the backmovement of the parts due to a retrograde movement oi' the waterlevelwill not aHect the contacts until a complete back revolutioncorresponding to a drop of one foot takes place.

It will be understood that this water-level indicator can be used forindicating the level of any liquid-such as water, oil, Suc-#and when theterm water is used herein it includes any liquid.

What I claim is*- 1. In a water-level indicator a rotatable indicatorshaft carrying reversely directed ratchet-wheels, pawl-arms rotatable onsaid shaft, pawls pivoted on each arm and normally disengaging theratchet-wheel, operating-arms rotatable on said shaft and having pinsengaging said pawls to turn them into engagement with the ratchet-wheelsrespectively by their initial rotation movement and to rotate theratchet-Wheels by the further rotation movement of said operating-arms,electromagnets, and means connecting the armatures thereof to saidoperating-arms.

2. A water-level indicator comprising a rotatable shaft carrying apointer, a dial over which said pointer moves, said dial having twoseries of marks corresponding to the successive revolutions of thepointer and adesignating device for the respective series oi' marksoperated by the movement of the shaft when the pointer passes from onerevolution and carrying a movable target marked to correspond to the twoseries of marks, and means for exhibiting' one or the other of themarked portions or' the target.

3. A circuit-closer for water-level indicators comprising a rotatablefloat-operated member carrying an operating projection and a contactportion, and a spring-lateh carrying a projection engaged by theoperating projection to pivotally operate the latch and also providedwith a contact portion to engage and slip over the contact portion inthe rotative movement of the latter when the latch is so operated.

4. In aeircuit-closer for water-level indicators, the combination ot'afloat-operated shaft, a circuit-closing member carried thereby andprovided with an operating projection, and the circuit-closing member oneach side oi' the first-named circuit-closing members, cornprising aspring-latch device having' a linger to be engaged by said operatingprojection, and a contact-pointer to contact with the contact projectionand circuit connections to said latches and contact-points.

5. In a circuit-closer for water-level indicators the combination oi' aHeat-operated shaft, a circuit-closing member carried thereby andprovided with an operating projection, and the circuit-closing member oneach side of the iirst-named circuit-closing member, comprising aspringlatch device having a finger to be engaged by said operatingprojection, a contact-pointer to contact with the contact projection,reversely-operating ratchet devices holding the respectivelatch-carrying members from rotation, respectively in oppositedirections, means on the latch devices `for engaging' the operatingprojections in thereverse movement of the latter, stop means 'forarresting the pivotal movement ot' the latch devices when so engaged.

6. In a water-level indicator, a rotary con tact member having anactuating' projection and a contact projection, and a pivoted tripdevice having a part to engage said actuating projection, and aspring-contact to engage the contact projection, a spring acting on saidtrip device, and a dash-pot connected to said trip device.

In testimony whereofl I have hereunto set my hand, at Los Angeles,California, this 12th day of October, 1904.

ROSS H. STOLLAR.

VIn presence ofwn ARTHUR P. KNIGHT, JULIA TownseND.

